1:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. | Welcome

In addition to speaker introductions, participants are asked to share their biggest challenges related to the Title IX grievance process, areas in which they feel most confident while conducting investigations, and their overall goals for the program.

1:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Overview of the Title IX Regulations

This opening session reviews the 2020 Title IX regulations, including the three-pronged definition of sexual harassment, a school’s obligation to provide supportive measures, the formal complaint process, investigations, informal resolution options, standards of evidence, and hearings.

2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. | Break

2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. | Planning a Prompt, Thorough and Impartial Investigation

TIXS instructors describe steps for planning a compliant investigation, including best practices for forming an investigative team, reviewing key documents, and establishing a timeline for the investigation. Participants are then presented with case studies and begin to plan their own investigation.

3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. | Guidelines for Title IX Investigation Questions

With an investigation plan in place, TIXS instructors walk participants through interview preparation by discussing topics such as using an interview outline to create a playbook for the conversation, the foundations to crafting effective interview questions, and understanding the emotions of the participants at the table.

4:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Day One Debrief and Q&A

1:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. | Welcome

After welcoming attendees to day two of the training, TIXS instructors will conduct a poll.

1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. | Conducting Title IX Interviews – Part One

In this session, TIXS instructors provide techniques for building trust with parties and witnesses to optimize information shared during interviews. Instructors then walk participants through the steps of a Title IX investigation interview while using scenarios and share strategies and best practices. 

2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. | Conducting Title IX Interviews – Part Two

In this session, participants put the previous lessons into action. Using the case study, TIXS instructors will facilitate a role-play exercise in Title IX interviewing. Participants will have the opportunity to conduct live interview of the fictional Complainant and Respondent, played by TIXS instructors. 

3:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Break

3:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. | Preparing the Investigation Report and File

TIXS instructors outline required elements of a compliant Title IX investigative report and file and explains their purpose in the overall Title IX grievance process. After outlining ways to format investigative reports, instructors discuss common mistakes, lessons learned, and best practices. Instructors also highlight transparency, accessibility, and security of information while sharing best practices for organizing, referencing, and sharing evidence with parties. Participants will have the opportunity to review, critique, and draft elements of sample investigative reports. 

4:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Training Debrief and Q&A

Participants are asked to share key takeaways from the program, plans for implementing investigative skills, and methods for collaborating with fellow participants.

Meet Your Instructors

TAWNY ALONZO, M.S. | Director of Training

A graduate of Texas A&M University, Tawny has blended careers in higher education and law enforcement to address issues of sexual misconduct on college campuses. Tawny took an interest as a police officer in working with victims of sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence. She immersed herself in trainings on trauma-informed interviewing, violence against women and children, as well as community approaches to prevention. This passion led to a jump into higher education and the world of Title IX. She previously served as a Title IX Investigator at Texas Woman’s University, Director of Violence Prevention at Southern Methodist University, and Title IX Program Manager at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Her areas of expertise include conducting compliant investigations, creating dynamic student and employee trainings, and building holistic campus violence prevention programs.

SUSANNA MURPHY, ESQ. | Advisor & Investigator

Susanna Murphy began her work as an independent Title IX advisor and investigator after 20 years of legal experience, first as a trial attorney and then as an investigator, in the criminal justice system. Susanna serves as an advisor for both complainants and respondents, as well as an independent investigator. She also has testified as an expert witness on Title IX investigations and provided educational prevention programming to private secondary schools and college and university organizations. Throughout her career, Susanna has put respect, discretion, objectivity, attention to detail and professionalism as her top priorities in every Title IX case. She is mindful of the sensitive nature of these kinds of allegations and is skilled at making parties and witnesses as comfortable as possible while discussing topics of a very sensitive nature.